NPA couple voluntarily surrenders

CEBU, Philippines – A couple, who are alleged to be members of New People’s Army (NPA), voluntarily surrendered to Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano III last Tuesday afternoon.

Police said spouses Paulino Omac Lingues, 37, jobless, and Flordelis Manulat Lingues, 38, temporarily residing in barangay Tayud, Consolacion town surrendered to the mayor at around 12 p.m. and were later turned over to the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army that is based in barangay Damulog, Sugod town.

The couple was accompanied by Councilor Conrado Batoon when they surrendered to the mayor.

A police report said the Lingueses were used to operating in Negros Island but they decided to surrender to the government to build a new life.

Several other persons who have connections with the rebel movement have earlier surrendered to the government and are now living peacefully.

Lt.Col. Raymundo Bañares, commander of the 78th IB, earlier said that the success of the campaign against insurgency in Cebu has become successful because of the strong support from the local government units that were the ones providing livelihood projects, cash rewards and other benefits for those who opted to surrender their firearms in exchange for their coming back to the folds of the law. — Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)